No two decoy carvers work exactly the same way, as a brief chat with five carvers at a Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Md., clearly demonstrates.
Gallery
Mike Smyser
1 of 1
Basic Decoy Shape
Mike Smyser cuts out a basic decoy shape.
Mike Smyser
1 of 1
On Display
Mike Smyser displays his decoys at a show.
1 of 1
The Old-Fashioned Way
Ed Stough prefers to carve the old-fashioned way, using hand tools only.
Bill Schauber
1 of 1
Collectibles
Bill Schauber’s pieces are considered highly collectible.
1 of 1
Chopping Technique
Warren Saunders demonstrates his chopping technique at the Waterfowl Festival.
Warren Saunders
1 of 1
In Style
Warren Saunders’ decoys are in the style of the Ward brothers.
Warren Saunders
1 of 1
Hands at Work
Warren Saunders believes in the importance of passing along America’s original folk art.
Patrick Godin
1 of 1
At Work
Patrick Godin at work in his studio.
Patrick Godin
1 of 1
Black Ducks With a Drake
In 2001, Godin’s pair of black ducks with a drake mallard-black duck hybrid took first place in the World Class Shootin’ Rig category at the Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition.
Potential disaster was narrowly avoided in Oregon, where the IP3 initiative to ban hunting, fishing, trapping and ranching statewide officially did not qualify for the 2024 ballot.
Fine over/unders can be had at significant savings by opting for pre-owned. Aaron Carter details exactly what you need to know to find that perfect stacked-barrel shotgun for wingshooting.
In honor of the 80th anniversary of Mack’s Prairie Wings and its former President and CEO, the late Marion McCollum, Winchester Ammunition has announced a special commemorative Xpert waterfowl ammunition offering available fall 2024.